Costa Rica
Cocos Island Weather & Climate
The world's greatest dive site: scalloped hammerheads and Pacific manta rays
27°C
Max sea
28°C
Max air
January
Best month
320mm
Driest month
The world's greatest dive site: scalloped hammerheads and Pacific manta rays
Cocos Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Pacific Ocean, 550km off the coast of Costa Rica, and its reputation among the world's diving community is unparalleled. The island — uninhabited except for a Costa Rican ranger station — is ringed by seamounts where extraordinary concentrations of scalloped hammerhead sharks, whitetip reef sharks, whale sharks, Pacific manta rays and schooling fish gather in densities found almost nowhere else on earth. Access is by liveaboard boat only (a 36-hour crossing from Puntarenas), and visitor numbers are strictly limited. This is not a destination for casual snorkellers — it is one of the world's great bucket-list dives.
When to go: June to November sees the best pelagic life including whale sharks and hammerheads.
The best months to visit Cocos Island are January, February, March. Peak season is February with the best combination of warm temperatures and low rainfall.
| Month | Air | Sea | Rain | UV | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 27°C | 390mm | 9 | 20 |
| Feb | 28°C | 27°C | 320mm | 9 | 20 |
| Mar | 28°C | 27°C | 380mm | 10 | 20 |
| Apr | 28°C | 27°C | 420mm | 10 | 20 |
| May | 28°C | 27°C | 510mm | 10 | 19 |
| Jun | 27°C | 27°C | 560mm | 9 | 18 |
| Jul | 27°C | 27°C | 520mm | 9 | 18 |
| Aug | 27°C | 27°C | 490mm | 9 | 18 |
| Sep | 27°C | 27°C | 510mm | 9 | 18 |
| Oct | 27°C | 27°C | 480mm | 9 | 18 |
| Nov | 28°C | 27°C | 440mm | 9 | 19 |
| Dec | 28°C | 27°C | 400mm | 9 | 20 |
The best time to visit Cocos Island is January, February, March. Peak season is February when temperatures reach 28°C with heavy rainfall. June to November sees the best pelagic life including whale sharks and hammerheads.
Sea temperatures in Cocos Island range from 27°C in January to 27°C in January. The sea is very warm at its warmest.
Winter temperatures in Cocos Island average 28°C with sea temperatures of 27°C. This makes it a great winter sun destination.
The driest month is February with 320mm. The wettest month sees 560mm. Cocos Island receives 5420mm annually.
Hot and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (390mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Hot and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (320mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Hot and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (380mm). UV 10. Sun protection essential.
Hot and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (420mm). UV 10. Sun protection essential.
Hot and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (510mm). UV 10. Sun protection essential.
Warm and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (560mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Warm and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (520mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Warm and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (490mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Warm and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (510mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Warm and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (480mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Hot and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (440mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
Hot and very warm seas. Heavy rainfall (400mm). UV 9. Sun protection essential.
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